Education in the United States: Useful Information->U.S. System of Higher Education #0

Community/Junior Colleges and Technical and Vocational Training

Community Colleges also know as Junior Colleges and or Technical Colleges (both public and private) are two year colleges. These schools offer academic programs that are comparable to the first two years of university work and can be applied toward a four-year college degree. Community Colleges are unique in that besides offering general education courses offer Certificates of Achievement upon completion of shorter Technical Programs. Technical education and Vocational Training courses are designed to prepare the student for employment in technical occupations and immediate employment. Private Community Colleges may emphasize academic preparation for four-year colleges over technical studies. (Note: Four-year colleges and universities usually do not award Associate Degrees after two years of study.)

Since their goal is to offer education to everyone in the local community, Community Colleges usually admit most students who meet basic requirements, offering a wide variety of options at relatively low tuition cost. Most, though not all, Community Colleges admit international students.

Many international students attend Technical and Community Colleges in the United States for several reasons. These colleges are an attractive option for the first two years of Undergraduate work. The low cost, the faculty's emphasis on teaching (as opposed to research) and attention to individual learning needs are often cited as advantages.

Since most students live nearby and drive to campus, Community Colleges usually do not have housing on campus. However usually accommodation frequently rented by students is available in the areas close to the colleges.

Many two-year colleges offer a full range of services to international students, although others are just beginning to develop services. Some have facilities and programs for these students, including English as a second language (ESL) programs; others do not.

Many of these colleges offer a broad range of programs. For example:

Health programs (Nursing, Medical and Dental assisting, X-Ray technology, Gerontological assisting);

Engineering technology programs (Civil, Electrical and Architectural Engineering, and Aircraft maintenance);

Building trades programs (Masonry)

Business Occupations Programs (Secretarial, Data Processing, Word Processing, Computer Sciences, Management, Bookkeeping and Accounting);

Agricultural programs (Agricultural Business, Economics, Sciences, Technologies),

Automotive Technologies.

Programs also exist for occupations in the Tourist Industry, Law Enforcement, Fire Sciences, Security and Energy Management.

Technical occupational programs are typically credit-bearing programs that extend a year or more. In most instances, students who successfully complete these programs receive certificates or Associate Degrees. The total credit earned for an Associate Degree intended for immediate employment may or may not completely transfer toward a four-year (Bachelor's) Degree.

Community/Junior and Technical Colleges also offer short-term technical refresher programs which may last as little as a few weeks or as long as several months. Proprietary institutions, which generally focus on a single professional area and may or may not offer degrees, provide an alternate resource for technical training.

If you are planning to study beyond the Associate Degree, using the first two years at a Community College for transfer credit toward a Bachelor's Degree, you must be sure that your academic credits will transfer to the four-year College or University you are considering. Although most Community Colleges within a particular state will have articulation (transfer) agreements with the Public Colleges and Universities within that state, private Colleges and Universities might not accept all Community College credits for transfer. Before you begin courses at a two-year institution, ask the Registrar's Office, at the four-year institution(s) you are interested in attending, if they will honor credit for the particular courses you plan to take at your Community College. Many Community Colleges have agreements with nearby four-year Colleges or Universities to insure that appropriate academic credits earned will be automatically accepted for transfer toward a Bachelor's Degree program.

Useful Information: U.S. System of Higher Education